Correlation of Foot Morphology and Toe/Metatarsophalangeal Joint Strength in Recreational Runners / 医用生物力学

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the correlation between foot morphology and toe/metatarsophalangeal joint muscle strength. Methods Twenty-six male recreational runners were recruited. Foot length, truncated foot length, foot width, navicular height, dorsum height at 50% of the foot length, metatarsophalangeal joint strength, tensile force of the first and remaining four toes were measured by using digital caliper, metatarsophalangeal joint strength tester and dynameter, respectively. Partial correlations were used to analyze the correlation between foot morphology and foot muscle strength. ResultsWith adjusted age and body mass index (BMI), the foot width in standing position and truncated foot length in sitting and standing position were positively correlated to tensile force of the first toe; the foot length, foot width and truncated foot length were positively correlated to tensile force of the remaining four toes in both positions, and the arch height index in sitting position was negatively associated with tensile force of the remaining four toes; the foot width was positively correlated to metatarsophalangeal joint strength in both positions. Conclusions The longer foot length, foot width, truncated foot length, and the lower arch height in normal range might be related to the larger foot muscle strength. The consideration of the differences in foot morphological characteristics in different positions during the measurement of foot morphology can provide references for predicting foot muscle strength and preventing foot injury.